To ward off anti-incumbency in tribal land, the BJP intends to replace many of its sitting MPs in State. The BJP Central Election Committee is to announce the names of candidates for Lok Sabha constituencies anytime soon. Sources said that the final decision of candidates name will be finalized by Saturday. Chief Minister Raghubar Das, State BJP president Laxman Gilua and State BJP in-charge Mangal Pandey are in National Capital for having consultation with central leadership for giving final shape to candidates list.
Sources said that many sitting MPs from State are unlikely to find place this time. Many senior BJP leaders who are above 75 years age are unlikely to find place. The BJP has already stated that those leaders who have crossed 75 years age are unlikely to get ticket. The party following the formula has not given ticket to even party patriarch and BJP ideologue LK Advani (92 years) from Gandhinagar. He has been replaced with BJP national president Amit Shah. Similarly, former HRD minister and former BJP president Murli Manohar Joshi (85 years), and Kalraj Mishra (77 years), the incumbent MP from Deoria in Uttar Pradesh are unlikely to get ticket this time too.
A senior State BJP leader requesting anonymity said, “If the party goes with not retaining MPs who are above 75 years in age than Khunti sitting MP Karia Munda is unlikely to get the ticket this time.” Karia Munda an octogenarian has represented Khunti reserved seat for eight times. In 1977, Munda first entered the Lok Sabha on Janta Party ticket.
Sources said that the BJP from Khunti is going to replace Karia Munda with another Munda. Former Chief Minister and senior State BJP leader Arjun Munda is strong contender from Khunti.
Another senior BJP leader who is likely to be replaced is Ranchi MP Ramtahal Choudhary, who first entered Parliament in 1991 and barring 2004 and 2009, he has been representing Ranchi parliamentary seat continuously.
Another sitting MP who is likely to be replaced is Lohardaga MP and minister of state for tribal welfare is Sudarshan Bhagat. Sources said that Bhagat is likely to be replaced with Ranchi Mayor and BJP women face in Jharkhand Asha Lakra.
The party has already decided to leave Giridih seat to its ally partner in State AJSU. BJP sitting MP, Ravindra Pandey from Giridih will not be retained from Giridih. Pandey has expressed reservation over Giridih seat being given to AJSU. Meanwhile, AJSU has decided to hold its parliamentary board meeting on March 25, where the party will hold meeting for finalisation of candidature. The AJSU party has also decided that apart from NDA manifesto for country, AJSU will also announce its separate manifesto for State.